State comparison · 2025
Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary: California vs District of Columbia
Atmospheric and Space Scientists in California earn a median of $124,920. In District of Columbia, $103,860. After cost-of-living, the gap is 19.4% — not 20.3%.
Nominal pay gap
+20.3%
California vs District of Columbia
COL-adjusted gap
+19.4%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
California
Atmospheric and Space Scientists
- Median
- $124,920
- p25
- $105,910
- p75
- $144,910
- p10
- $82,900
- p90
- $175,900
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 110.7
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -45%
District of Columbia
Atmospheric and Space Scientists
- Median
- $103,860
- p25
- $103,860
- p75
- $180,480
- p10
- $95,870
- p90
- $207,380
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 109.9
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.